K2, Spice target of two state raid

Monday

Apr 22, 2013 at 8:54 AMApr 22, 2013 at 8:55 AM

By Don Reid

dwreid@aol.com

ANGOLA, IND — The police raid Friday at the Little Hippie store in Bronson was part of a year long investigation by law enforcement from both Indiana and Michigan into sale and distribution of K-2, spice, and aroma therapy products according to Angola (Ind.) Police Chief Stuart Hamblen.

Hamblin said a large amount of illegal substances, money, and drug paraphernalia was seized at three locations. Two of the locations were the Little Hippie shops at 2010 N Wayne St in Angola and its sister shop at 402 W Chicago St in Bronson. The third location was not identified.

In Bronson agents from the Michigan State Police (MSP) and agents from the Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) in excess of 2,800 packages of suspected synthetic marijuana, valued at more than $40,000 agents estimated. SWET officers some in hooded masks loaded a trailer with boxes of seized materials.

Arrested in Angola was Cody Sawyer, 19, charged with a class C felony of dealing in controlled substances.

Warrants are expected to be sought for others in Branch County as the investigation continues.

It was just last July 1 when Michigan made it illegal to sell K2, Spice and similar synthetic drugs under a new state law. The law covered a broad range of drugs. Before as one drug was banned makers just changed those to others which created similar effects. Now all are banned.

K2, spice and similar drugs have side effects which include rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, seizures, paranoia, loss of physical control and hallucinations. In at least 55 cases use resulted in death in 2010 according to the National Health Institute.

The drugs can cause psychotic behavior with 379 reported needing mental hospitalizations in Michigan in 2012.